The University of Vermont Official 2010-2011 Season Thread : Part 1

[jcarter7669]

Re: The University of Vermont Official 2010-2011 Season Thread : Part 1

-At what point do we have to start questioning the coaching staff here?

- I don't understand it when we can skate with BC for a weekend and then get our asses handed to us by ULowell--UMass who are struggling this year.

-I see a consistent product coming out of UNH, BC, and BU for the most part.

-I don't see us skating with Yale or Dartmouth coming up and hope we can squeak a win from St Lawrence if we are lucky.

Whenever you like, but you will probably be alone. Sneddon is a good coach, and it's not like Gilligan didn't have off years.

It's easy, just like you said, the cats SKATeD with BC, they sat around and let UML hand them their asses. A for effort and a F for effort. All the talent in the world is meaningless if you are sitting in the corner whacking it. Just ask Nick.

Ummm... BC in 2009 BU in 2010???

Losing to Dartmouth would be worse then losing to Lowell.

 

[jcarter7669]

Re: The University of Vermont Official 2010-2011 Season Thread : Part 1

Since this hockey team seems to be going nowhere fast, is it too early to start experimenting a bit? For example, maybe giving Alex Vezzano some starts in goal to see what he can do? Maybe doing some things to try and shake things up offensively? Our defense can't get any worse, so why not experiment by trying to play a little more offense-minded game? Any ideas, thoughts?

I think you are going to start to see upper classmen riding the pine, especially those that are regular starters. From Ted RYans blog


Sneddon :
“I’m not being overly critical of our veteran players; it’s just a plain fact. It’s clear as day when you watch our team play right now that the big mistakes aren’t coming from our youngsters. They’re coming from our seniors in particular … (and) sophomores, our key players.

“No more excuses. I’m done trying to cover up from that standpoint. "
“We’ll have to make some decisions here. We’re going to have a couple of tough practices,” Sneddon said.

“As a coach, you have two choices. You can either approach it from a team standpoint and send your message or you take away ice time, whether it’s power play time or in-the-stands time. We can’t sit around and be satisfied with a lack of work ethic or a lack of discipline.”


It's a pretty strong statement from Sneddon, he is usually relatively reigned in and I gotta feeling Griems is going to soon see some playing time along with Albertson.

 

[GreenCat]

Re: The University of Vermont Official 2010-2011 Season Thread : Part 1

Ummm... BC in 2009 BU in 2010???

Losing to Dartmouth would be worse then losing to Lowell.

--BU finished 3rd in HE last year despite losing most of the team after winning the championship in 09. BC--You can't raise a banner every year...one would be nice
--They are in first in the ECAC and are a scoring machine with 35 goals in 10 games versus our 18 goals....almost double.

"than" not "then"

 

[GreenCat]

Re: The University of Vermont Official 2010-2011 Season Thread : Part 1

I think you are going to start to see upper classmen riding the pine, especially those that are regular starters. From Ted RYans blog


Sneddon :
“I’m not being overly critical of our veteran players; it’s just a plain fact. It’s clear as day when you watch our team play right now that the big mistakes aren’t coming from our youngsters. They’re coming from our seniors in particular … (and) sophomores, our key players.

“No more excuses. I’m done trying to cover up from that standpoint. "
“We’ll have to make some decisions here. We’re going to have a couple of tough practices,” Sneddon said.

“As a coach, you have two choices. You can either approach it from a team standpoint and send your message or you take away ice time, whether it’s power play time or in-the-stands time. We can’t sit around and be satisfied with a lack of work ethic or a lack of discipline.”


It's a pretty strong statement from Sneddon, he is usually relatively reigned in and I gotta feeling Griems is going to soon see some playing time along with Albertson.

Let's hope it works.....I may have to take back my earlier statement.......

 

[jcarter7669]

Re: The University of Vermont Official 2010-2011 Season Thread : Part 1

--BU finished 3rd in HE last year despite losing most of the team after winning the championship in 09. BC--You can't raise a banner every year...one would be nice
--They are in first in the ECAC and are a scoring machine with 35 goals in 10 games versus our 18 goals....almost double.

"than" not "then"

They maybe first in the ECAC, but look who they played. Yeah wins over Harvard, Princeton and SLU and have played a ton more games then say Yale for example.

I don't care if it's then, than, thin, thun, or thon. You got the picture. As for BU finishing 3rd...how many points were there between them and not making the tourney? UVM can't compete with the consistent recruiting classes BC/BU/UNH are able to get. THey aren't going to be as good consistently as those teams, and even those teams have bad years. It's not like is McDonald here who can't win a championship with an entire team of seniors.

 

[GreenCat]

Re: The University of Vermont Official 2010-2011 Season Thread : Part 1

They maybe first in the ECAC, but look who they played. Yeah wins over Harvard, Princeton and SLU and have played a ton more games then say Yale for example.

I don't care if it's then, than, thin, thun, or thon. You got the picture. As for BU finishing 3rd...how many points were there between them and not making the tourney? UVM can't compete with the consistent recruiting classes BC/BU/UNH are able to get. THey aren't going to be as good consistently as those teams, and even those teams have bad years. It's not like is McDonald here who can't win a championship with an entire team of seniors.

There is no reason we can't compete with UNH and ME for recruits. What is so different between those programs, schools, locations than UVM? BU and BC have an edge due reputation of hockey programs, coaches, and location. I think we have the same or close to the same talent as ME, BU, and UNH but can't seem to get any consistancy i.e. back to my coaching question.

The ECAC is pretty strong this year. Brown tied both UNH and BU at their rinks and should have beaten UNH. I wouldn't overlook anyone in that league. We certainly tried that in HE and you see how that worked out........

 

[jcarter7669]

Re: The University of Vermont Official 2010-2011 Season Thread : Part 1

There is no reason we can't compete with UNH and ME for recruits. What is so different between those programs, schools, locations than UVM? BU and BC have an edge due reputation of hockey programs, coaches, and location. I think we have the same or close to the same talent as ME, BU, and UNH but can't seem to get any consistancy i.e. back to my coaching question.

What ME and UNH has that UVM does not is exactly what you said earlier...a consistantly top tier team ( to save the quibbling from the BC crowd we can say regular season regarding UNH). UVM has only recently had any type of sustained success... ME, UNH, BC, BU have year after year sucess that give them reputation and an edge in recruiting. That said UVM is recruiting decent players. However there are a ton of factors to consider into that.

This years class seems to be doing pretty well... so far anyway I have been impressed with most all of the freshman.

Sophs, I thought this was a weaker class when they started outside of McCarthy and Nilson-Roos. Pacan surprised but is gone due his own actions. Stalberg wasn't impressive in the beginning and picked it up at the end of the season. Question is which was is his true ability, did he get cocky, feel to much vik pressure... whatever, either way things are below expectations.

Juniors : Madore is what was expected, Mackenzie has looked pretty solid... not much bad with regards to them

Seniors : Miller tries harder then anyone, maybe to hard. Medvec has not lived to his expectations this year, and Lawson has as many upsides as downsides. Stacey is the bright spot. Downing is not a go to guy. Each of these guys are below expectations. Why? Who knows... the D was sporadic all last year two. They were good as frosh and sophs but after the frozen four seemed to play only one of the two games a week? Bot sure why...

I think one thing this team has lacked very severly has been leadership. Strong was the last captain that was able to get this team motivated. Roloff wasn't a captain, and neither is Miller. They are good hard working and talented hockey players but they aren't able to motivate the team. This team also does not and has not had a "spark plug" guy like Lenes that could swing momentum of the game in a shift. The team goes out lazy, there is little hustle, little urgency and it's very ho hum. There is only so much a coach can do, this team needs a leader....Brickley.... MacKenzie.... someone that can lead by example and by calling someone out.

SO to the original point... Is the problem Sneddon? IMO no, it's the team leadership.

 

[hockeymascot]

Re: The University of Vermont Official 2010-2011 Season Thread : Part 1

Sorry for the intrusion to your thread but.......every year, there are teams that struggle to find their way before Christmas. I could rattle off ten teams from various leagues that are struggling with inconsistency, but for the sake of keeping this post short, I won't do that. Keep the faith. Already this year, this team has been forced to face adversity and they are currently working through that. I have faith the coaching staff will hold the players accountable for their individual performance so that they add to the performance of the TEAM. Your expectations are high because you have experienced success, but don't forget who brought you to higher expectations....Coach Sneddon!!

 

[Patronick]

Re: The University of Vermont Official 2010-2011 Season Thread : Part 1

At what point do we have to start questioning the coaching staff here? Complete inconsistency over the last 3 years and essentially backing into the NCAAs last year is purely coaching issues. I don't understand it when we can skate with BC for a weekend and then get our asses handed to us by ULowell--UMass who are struggling this year.

I see a consistent product coming out of UNH, BC, and BU for the most part. ME had some bad years but they were at least bad when they were expected to be bad and improved when the talent level came back. UNH despite no NCAA trophy puts out a high quality product every year including this year after losing Bobby Butler and other top scorers. I am very disappointed in this program this year and last year despite making the NCAAs (barely).

I don't see us skating with Yale or Dartmouth coming up and hope we can squeak a win from St Lawrence if we are lucky. UNH game will probably be another embarrassment.

Straight talk: if you guys want to dump Sneddon, we'll happily take him. My personal position on Lowell is they're going to end up going another direction when MacDonald's contract is up next season, and Sneddon is one of the classiest guys in all of college hockey. So, by all means, please start calling for his head.

 

[Cat lover]

Re: The University of Vermont Official 2010-2011 Season Thread : Part 1

Straight talk: if you guys want to dump Sneddon, we'll happily take him. My personal position on Lowell is they're going to end up going another direction when MacDonald's contract is up next season, and Sneddon is one of the classiest guys in all of college hockey. So, by all means, please start calling for his head.

I am usually the last person to blame the coach but I keep wondering....you have a team that is having problems scoring so why does Sneddon keep switching lines before they have any chance to gel?

I mean look at last Tuesday's game vs Northeastern, during the third period all 4 lines were playing great and just barely missing goals. Maybe if the players got more used to who they were playing with they might finish off those chances.

And switching players from wing to center and back again cant make it any easier, it clearly cost them the first goal at BC.

 

[KennyCat]

Re: The University of Vermont Official 2010-2011 Season Thread : Part 1

I think you are going to start to see upper classmen riding the pine, especially those that are regular starters. From Ted RYans blog


Sneddon :
“I’m not being overly critical of our veteran players; it’s just a plain fact. It’s clear as day when you watch our team play right now that the big mistakes aren’t coming from our youngsters. They’re coming from our seniors in particular … (and) sophomores, our key players.

“No more excuses. I’m done trying to cover up from that standpoint. "
“We’ll have to make some decisions here. We’re going to have a couple of tough practices,” Sneddon said.

“As a coach, you have two choices. You can either approach it from a team standpoint and send your message or you take away ice time, whether it’s power play time or in-the-stands time. We can’t sit around and be satisfied with a lack of work ethic or a lack of discipline.”

.

that confuses me. i went to the bc game, and it was the freshman D who made some bone head moves that directly resulted in goals. That being said, Stacey and some other upperclassmen were invisible. The senior D guys were trying so hard...i saw they as they came to the bench. They were giving it all they had. Just not in the cards that night. And leave Sneddon alone. You guys are brutal.

 

[GreenCat]

Re: The University of Vermont Official 2010-2011 Season Thread : Part 1

Straight talk: if you guys want to dump Sneddon, we'll happily take him. My personal position on Lowell is they're going to end up going another direction when MacDonald's contract is up next season, and Sneddon is one of the classiest guys in all of college hockey. So, by all means, please start calling for his head.

PMan, I like the non ******* version. I wish we could hear from this version more often....

I'm not calling for his head yet but this inconsistency year after year and a pathetic power play that seems to be endemic (is that the right word?). I might just take you up on that offer. Dickie U gets a lot of heat at UNH so maybe a three way trade is in order.....good for all? Change is good??

 

[UVM Cat in Texas]

Re: The University of Vermont Official 2010-2011 Season Thread : Part 1

I'm not calling for his head yet but this inconsistency year after year and a pathetic power play that seems to be endemic (is that the right word?)

I think the word you were looking for is "anemic"

 

[jcarter7669]

Re: The University of Vermont Official 2010-2011 Season Thread : Part 1

PMan, I like the non ******* version. I wish we could hear from this version more often....

I'm not calling for his head yet but this inconsistency year after year and a pathetic power play that seems to be endemic (is that the right word?). I might just take you up on that offer. Dickie U gets a lot of heat at UNH so maybe a three way trade is in order.....good for all? Change is good??

Umile? I think we would prefer someone who doesn't break the rules... If nothing else the hockey program holds itself responsible and conducts itself with some integrity. And those turtlenecks....ugh... who wants to look at that every game

 

[cat1234]

Re: The University of Vermont Official 2010-2011 Season Thread : Part 1

I think some are quick to throw the team and coaches under the bus. This team has played some very good games against some good teams and with a little luck could have 4 or 5 wins. The forwards are very young for the most part 7 fresh/soph in the lineup every game. A few of the freshmen have played well (Brickley, Lenz). The sophmores have not put up the numbers we all expected but are still young as well. McCarthy has some goals, Stalberg does not seem to work hard every shift. Marshall just cant seem to score no matter how much ice time he gets or who he plays with. Wahs has some goals but also seems to take some shifts off. Leonard has played well works very hard every shift and seems to be a real spark plug when out there. They need to get him on the ice more with his quickness and skills if they put him with some of the more talented forwards it could work out well. The defense has not played as well as everyone has expected but they have had the pressure to carry the team as well. Madore has had some good games but maybe time to give Alex vazzano a game. As far as the coaches we are very luckly to have coach Sneddon and his staff they are a real class act. I am sure they are working hard to turn things around. Some tough road games coming up lets hope for a few bounces the Cats way and a few wins.

 

[GreenCat]

Re: The University of Vermont Official 2010-2011 Season Thread : Part 1

Umile? I think we would prefer someone who doesn't break the rules... If nothing else the hockey program holds itself responsible and conducts itself with some integrity. And those turtlenecks....ugh... who wants to look at that every game

Have to agree with you here. It was more in jest than serious.....

 

[jcarter7669]

Re: The University of Vermont Official 2010-2011 Season Thread : Part 1

A couple of insightful quotes from Sneddon from Ted Ryan's blog

"If somebody takes shifts off during a game, you’ve got to make that decision that, you know what, no matter how skilled they might be, you’ve got to correct this mentality first and if means sitting out a top player because he’s decided to float for three or four shifts in a game, then we’ve got to do it."

"Lose the puck in a one-on-one drill? 10 pushups. Shoot the puck high from the off-angle instead of hitting the goalie’s pads for a rebound? 10 pushups. Mess up another drill? 10 pushups."

 

[UVM Cat in Texas]

Re: The University of Vermont Official 2010-2011 Season Thread : Part 1

Time for a much needed bump. Just read Ryan's blog in the BFP about solving this hockey malaise by looking inward for answers. Seems there have been several articles over the course of the season so far that have said "We know what's wrong...we need to do this...we need to do that...and once we do those things, everything will be fine." Let's hope the problem can be solved by something as simple as looking inward, and that it's not something harder to overcome like a lack of talent. We'll see.

 

[hawk]

Re: The University of Vermont Official 2010-2011 Season Thread : Part 1

http://blogs.burlingtonfreepress.com/oncampus/2010/12/02/hockey-cats-look-inward-for-answers/

Interesting article on the UVM hockey and the problems they are having this year. Just my 2 cents but I think UVM could use a couple more highly skilled forwards to give the team a little more offense. The BC loss recently however was not good. Teams like BC, BU, UNH, and Maine all seem to more successful moving the puck then Vermont.

 

[Martin St. Louis Fan]

Re: The University of Vermont Official 2010-2011 Season Thread : Part 1

It's nice to hear this from Lawson, maybe he is respected enough to be an on ice leader. I like Miller, but not everyone can be that inspirational figure like Sifers, Strrong, Lenes etc. was. It will be interesting to see who sits against UNH.